should recovering addicts and alcoholics be allowed to become professional addiction counselors?

Answer 1

according to Dr Stanton Peele (an acclaimed licensed psychologist, attorney, practicing psychotherapist and the author of numerous books and articles on the subject of alcoholism, addiction and treatment. His contribution to the field of alcoholism has won him several awards including the 1994 Alfred Lindesmith Award for achievement in the Field of Scholarship, from the Drug Policy Foundation, Washington, DC and in 1989 the Rutgers Center of Alcohol Studies presented Peele with its Mark Keller Award for Alcohol Studies for his article: ‘’ The limitations of control-of-supply models for explaining and preventing alcoholism and drug addiction)
in his review of '12-Step Horror Stories: True Tales of Misery, Betrayal and Abuse' by Rebecca Fransway
..."There is abuse by alcoholism counselors—many mentally ill themselves. There are therapists who refer people to AA purely because they themselves are alcoholics and who can see no other way of dealing with alcohol problems. They are either incapable of discerning that their patients are having intensely negative reactions to "12 step" or simply can't deal with these reactions—including emotional breakdowns, relapses, and, ultimately in some cases, death.
-------- As far as my personal opinion and answer I have worked with many counselors and psychotherapits who are recovering in 12 Step Programs and they are mostly all have their OWN boundary issues with clients. I would never ever ever again work with a recovering counselor it totally messed me up.. they are unable to allow that a client may NOT BE a 12 step candidate and then they hold the client responsible for BAD BEHAVIOR and accuse them of being difficult , not everyone is a 12 step candidate for many reasons but recovering co

Answer 2

There are a lot of programs in which recovering addicts are used as the professionals in treatment centers. I believe that the Hazelden centers (a large national treatment program) utilizes all recovering addicts for their treatment centers.

Granted they still have to go to school and obtain the necessary degrees and education in order to be employed by many companies.

Years ago they were "grandfathered" in if they had enough years of working. I know in Florida there are different levels of certifications for addiction professionals so often recovering addicts do not have to complete an entire 4 year degree.

Do I think it's a good idea?? I think it's helpful to some people. But i think that there are many people who are NOT former addicts who do well in the addiction field as well. I think as long as someone has a good amount of clean time under their belt and that they are able to properly counsel addicts and those in recovery....I see nothing wrong with it.

I think that those in recovery need to look at themselves and make sure that they don't relapse or put themselves in a situation in which they begin to feel like using. They need to have their own strong support system and coping skills.

Answer 3

My boyfriend is a recovering addict with a criminal record and working to get his degree in Drug & Alcohol Couseling. Let me tell you that nearly half if not more of D&A counselors have a history of drug abuse, and quite often a criminal record. My boyfriend asked his teachers and they told him so. Many of them had a terrible history and record but became counselors because of it. If it is a sexual offense then it might make a difference. My boyfriend had a DUI, and theft on his record and spent about a year in prision. Weapon possession, I'm not sure but probably won't make a difference. Obviously possesion of drugs won't make a difference. But other than that, it is no problem because they expect that in that career. It is actually a bonus because you understand and can relate to your patients unlike other people. Good luck you won't need it because you will make a great counselor, only don't start using again. Some couselors do and that isn't a pretty sight.

Answer 4

I believe that a great many professional addiction counselors are recovering addicts/recovering alcoholics (in my area anyway)

Answer 5

Yes, after they have successfully controlled their addiction and been through all the programs. People who have been there and experienced the pain of addiction can understand an addict much better than someone who only learned about it from a book. That 's how I feel anyway. I'd much rather be counseled by someone who can relate to my situation.

Answer 6

yes, professional counselors and could be volunteers in various organizations for recovering addicts and alcoholics. they can make a difference by sharing their own experiences and what they've been through.

Answer 7

maybe after overcoming their addiction they would be great counselors cuz they've experienced what other addicts are going through and can help them. but if they're still trying to overcome the addiction i don't think so.

Answer 8

i agree that they should be allowed, as long as they are rehabilitated and are truly not using. i would rather talk with a counselors who knew firsthand what it was like in my shoes and what recovery was like.

Answer 9

Certainly! Once they've worked through their stuff it's a great thing for them to do!

Answer 10

yes, who better to help than someone who actually understands